Alec Guinness lives "The Captain's Paradise" in this 1953 Ealing light comedy. Guinness plays the captain of a ferry going from the British colony of Gibraltor to Spanish Morocco, who, according to his chief officer Ricco (Charles Goldner),has found the recipe for true happiness. He is, so sayeth the officer, a genius.

His recipe is a simple one, and as we have learned recently, with the news of Charles Lindbergh having another family in Germany, and the book "Pilot" - it's more common that we knew. The captain, Henry St. James, has a wife in each port. Celia Johnson is his British wife, a homemaker and excellent cook. The two lead an orderly life - in bed by 10, and when he comes home, he brings her a gift for the household. His Moroccan wife, who calls him "Jimmy," is Yvonne DeCarlo. She's sexy, a dancer who loves the nightlife. The two drink champagne, take moonlight swims, and go dancing.

Of course, as time goes on, problems ensue. For one thing, the women become bored with their roles.

A very funny film, with an interesting message about roles and how, as people grow older, they want to take on different ones.

Guinness is excellent as the happy and then frustrated man in their lives. The best scene, though, is Celia Johnson dancing with her cousin Bob (Walter Crisham) - hilarious.

Highly recommended

The Captains Paradise is a charming delightful comedy.

Alec Guiness is wonderful as always, this time as a ferry-boat Captain, ferrying between Gibralter & Morrocco,(Kalik in film). he happens to have a wife in Gibralter (Celia Johnson) & a lover in Morrocco (Yvonne deCarlo). Censors at the time did not allow him to have 2 wives at same time. It would be a spoiler to tell you more. This was filmed on location (filming on actual sites was still somewhat of a rarity in 1953. Gibralter & Tangier were very picturesque & it did add to the enjoyment.

The running time is only 86 minutes which is perfect timing for this type comedy. If this was made today, they would drag it out to near the 2 hour mark.

Rating *** (out of 4) points 88 (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)

Actually, I am not in favor of bigamy, but this film sure seems like an endorsement to have multiple marriages. And, as long as no one finds out (especially the wives),then is sure seems ideal according to CAPTAIN'S PARADISE.

Alec Guinness plays an unusual role. He's a captain of a small cruise ship that goes between Gibralter (where he has a very British wife, Celia Johnson) and Spanish Morocco (where he has a wild and adventurous wife, Yvonne DeCarlo). Both women seem like complete opposites and in the process, Guinness is able to enjoy the best of both worlds--a sedate English-style household and a wild life with a Spanish-speaking bombshell. It's actually pretty neat watching Guinness as he seems to so effortlessly bounce from one to the other as well as interact with the crew members and passengers. So many different languages, and while Guinness is not completely fluid in his pronunciation, he's still pretty good and quite a man of the world--with a strong knowledge of history, cultures and women. It's called "Captain's Paradise" because this man seems to have it all. However, even at the very beginning of the film, you know it doesn't work out perfectly forever. That's because the film begins with him being lined up at a firing squad! Obviously something went wrong somewhere! Well, you learn through a long series of flashbacks that although it did go well for a while, things started getting mixed up--at first with Guinness switching presents intended for the other. It was hard keeping these two lives totally separate. To make things worse, without telling him, Johnson flies to Spanish Morocco to surprise her husband!! It's particularly funny when Johnson and DeCarlo meet in a market and strike up a quick friendship. At this point, the usually calm and collected Guinness is struggling to keep control, but he is able to dodge the bullet...for now.

A bit of a problem does develop, though, despite his managing to keep them wives from finding out about the other. It seems that over time, the sedate homemaker is becoming (or wants to become) more like the wild and adventurous woman and the bombshell wants to become more domestic. In essence, both wives are somehow naturally becoming more and more like each other--and Guinness' way of living is threatened. And, in the process, both wives are becoming more and more dissatisfied with their lives and welcome these changes.

How all this ultimately blew up and how bigamy resulted in the death penalty, you'll just have to see for yourself. It's a charming and low-key film that is truly unique and works thanks to some excellent performances and direction.

By the way, although you wouldn't guess, Miss DeCarlo was a Canadian--nothing like the role she played in this film.